18.5.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 176/29

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Publication of an application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2016/C 176/09)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A MINOR AMENDMENT

Application for approval of a minor amendment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012  (2)

‘VULTURE’

EU No: IT-PDO-0105-01390 — 21.10.2015

PDO ( X ) PGI ( ) TSG ( )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Protetta per l'olio extravergine di oliva Vulture (Consortium for the protection of Vulture extra virgin olive oil PDO)

Via Piano di Chiesa

85027 Rapolla (PZ)

ITALIA

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

—	☒	Description of product
—	☒	Proof of origin
—	☒	Method of production
—	☐	Link
—	☐	Labelling
—	☒	Other: References to inspection body added

4.   Type of amendment(s)

—	☐	Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires no amendment to the published single document.
—	☒	Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, that requires an amendment to the published single document.
—	☐	Amendment to product specification of registered PDO or PGI to be qualified as minor in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, for which a single document (or equivalent) has not been published.
—	☐	Amendment to product specification of registered TSG to be qualified as minor in accordance with the fourth subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

5.   Amendment(s)

Description of the product

Cultivar

The sentence:

is replaced as follows:

The required share of the ‘Ogliarola del Vulture’ cultivar used in the production of ‘Vulture’ olive oil is reduced from 70 % to 60 % of the total. The share of other varieties that can be used in the production of ‘Vulture’ PDO oil therefore increases from 30 % to 40 %. In addition, the Nocellara and Laudolia varieties have been added to those that can be used within the 40 % limit.

This amendment takes account of the need to exploit all olive growing in the area and is justified by the fact that years of analysis of oil produced within the geographical area, carried out both by the Potenza Chamber of Commerce, the inspection body, and by the University of Basilicata, have shown that the new proportions do not affect the qualities of ‘Vulture’ olive oil. The characteristics of the oil are guaranteed because the Ogliarola del Vulture cultivar, at 60 %, still makes up the largest share.

The addition of the two varieties Nocellara and Laudolia permits the total land under olives within the geographical area to be better exploited, while allowing the product's essential characteristics to be preserved.

Acidity

The acidity, expressed as oleic acid, is reduced from ≤ 0,5 % to ≤ 0,38 %.

Improvements in production methods and processes in recent years have made it possible to reduce this limit and therefore improve the quality of the oil.

Peroxide value

The peroxide value (mEq O2/kg) is reduced from ≤ 11 to ≤ 10 to improve the quality of the oil.

Here too, recent improvements in production methods and processes have made it possible to reduce the peroxide limit and therefore improve the quality of the oil.

Organoleptic evaluation

The following is deleted:

‘tomato: median 4-6;’.

This amendment is necessary because years of checks and analysis have shown that this characteristic is not always found in the organoleptic evaluation of the oil even if the product specification has been complied with. It was most likely included in the specification by mistake, based on analyses carried out on a non-representative number of samples and years, not taking into account the variability due to different production years.

Proof of origin:

The following sentences are added:

The plants of the Ogliarola del Vulture and other varieties can be found both on land corresponding to a cadastral parcel, and on land spread over different parcels belonging to the same or to several olive growers.

If there are several growers, they are required to submit one joint application to participate in the control system, collect the olives on the same days, and deliver the olives to the same mill in order to permit and facilitate checks.

It is thus made clear that the required distribution of varieties can be met not only at parcel level, but also at the level of different parcels belonging to one or several growers. If there are several growers, they must submit one joint application to participate in the control system, collect the olives on the same days and deliver the olives to the same mill so as to permit and facilitate checks. Olive groves with other varieties have been planted more recently than the Ogliarola del Vulture groves, and these varieties are therefore generally not found among olive trees of the Ogliarola del Vulture variety but in different parcels. This made it necessary to adjust the harvesting and milling requirements.

Method of production

The sentence:

is replaced as follows:

The reason for this change is that a maximum production of 8 tonnes is reasonable during normal years but has proved damaging for producers in peak years, also taking into account that olive production is based on alternate years.

Analyses carried out in recent years have shown that a 20 % increase in production in peak years does not affect the quality characteristics of ‘Vulture’ oil but allows them to be preserved in line with the product specification.

Labelling

The sentence:

is replaced as follows:

This amendment takes account of producers' need to have a more effective logo for communication and marketing purposes.

The following sentence has been added:

This amendment takes account of the need for the specification to be adapted to any regulatory changes.

Other

The following is added:

References to the inspection body that were not included in the current specification have thus been added.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘VULTURE’

EU No: IT-PDO-0105-01390 — 21.10.2015

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.5. Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oils, etc.)

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

At the time of packaging, ‘Vulture’ extra virgin olive oil PDO must have the following characteristics:

1 —   Physico-chemical characteristics

Acidity expressed as oleic acid: ≤ 0,38 %;

Peroxide value (mEq O2/kg): ≤ 10;

Total polyphenols: ≥ 150;

K 232: ≤ 2,0;

2 —   Organoleptic qualities

Colour: amber-yellow with green tints;

Aroma/flavour:

fruity	:	median 4-6, sometimes with hints of cut grass;
bitter	:	low/moderate, median 2-6;
pungent	:	low/moderate, median 2-6.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

‘Vulture’ extra virgin olive oil PDO is produced by pressing fruit from the following varieties: the ‘Ogliarola del Vulture’ cultivar, which must account for at least 60 % of the total, and, provided they account for no more than 40 %, either on their own or in combination: ‘Coratina’, ‘Cima di Melfi’, ‘Palmarola’, ‘Provenzale’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Cannellino’, ‘Rotondella’, ‘Nocellara’ and ‘Laudolia’.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

All work relating to the ‘Vulture’ PDO product, namely the production and processing of the olives and the storage of the oil, must take place within the production area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

Packaging may take place inside or outside the production area, but monitoring and traceability must be guaranteed in all cases by including a reference to the lot of the oil and the oil mill that produced it in the transport documentation.

The oil must be marketed in glass containers or cans with a maximum capacity of 5 litres. The product may also be packaged in single-dose sachets.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The ‘Vulture’ protected designation of origin must appear on the label in distinct, indelible lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with that of the label itself so that it can be clearly distinguished from the other information given on the label, using the following logo in Sabon Bold font:

The words ‘olio extravergine di oliva a denominazione di origine protetta’ (‘protected designation of origin extra virgin olive oil’) or ‘olio extravergine di oliva DOP’ (‘PDO extra virgin olive oil’) may be added.

The labelling must bear the particulars required by law and trade practice, the year of production and the production batch.

It is prohibited to add to the designation any description not expressly provided for in the production specification; however, adding ‘olio imbottigliato dal produttore all'origine’ (‘oil bottled by the producer at the point of production’), or ‘olio imbottigliato nella zona di produzione’ (‘oil bottled in the production area’) if the oil is bottled by a third party, is permitted.

Reference may be made to holdings, business names and private trademarks, provided that there is no risk of misleading the consumer.

A reference or logo specifying that the oil has been produced organically is permitted where this is the case.

When packaged in single-dose sachets, the product should indicate the protected designation, the lot number, the year of production and a serial number allotted by the inspection body.

Secondary labels and bottle neck tags from the packagers are permitted.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The olives used to produce ‘Vulture’ extra virgin olive oil PDO must be produced and processed within the administrative borders of the following municipalities: Melfi, Rapolla, Barile, Rionero in Vulture, Atella, Ripacandida, Maschito, Ginestra and Venosa.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The defined geographical area is characterised and known by the name of Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano located in the central area of the Southern Apennines, approximately 60 km from the sea. The olive groves used for the production of ‘Vulture’ oil are situated on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of Mount Vulture, as the mountain influences the microclimate and protects them from the cold winter winds. The defined area is at an altitude of between 400 and 700 metres above sea level and has a particular, characteristically continental microclimate with winters that are generally long and cold and summers that are short and often dry.

Precipitation averages 750 mm per year, reaching peaks of up to 1 000 mm in the areas furthest inland. It is largely concentrated in autumn and winter, with a significant amount at the beginning of spring, though there is no lack of precipitation later in spring and in summer.

The average annual temperature ranges between 14 and 15 °C, with the coldest months being January and February. In these months, temperatures average 4 to 6 °C and often fall below zero. These climatic conditions are at the limit of those in which olive trees can survive. Indeed, in the highest part of the area, the olive groves adjoin chestnut-growing land. As pointed out by many authors, the rather cold climate in the production area leads to higher polyphenol content in the oil. The volcanic soil is particularly fertile, for the very reason that it has its origin in volcanic leuctitite tuffs, which are rich in phosphorus pentoxide, potash and limestone, as well as good organic matter content (around 6 %). According to research carried out by the University of Basilicata, Metapontum Agrobios and the Regional Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the soils of the Vulture area are rich in exchangeable potassium (average greater than 450 ppm), exchangeable calcium (average greater than 3 000 ppm) and exchangeable magnesium (average greater than 170 ppm). The potassium in the trees is found mainly in the cell cavities in ionic form. It plays a role in the formation of carbohydrates and proteins and in the processes of assimilation, respiration and water movement in the trees. Another factor characterising the area and the designation is the presence of the ‘Ogliarola del Vulture’ variety, a native variety which, over the centuries, has been bred naturally and with the assistance of olive growers and now occupies the defined geographical area. The variety has not been able to spread to higher altitudes owing to the rigours of winter or to the warmer areas given the presence of more productive varieties with stronger trees which are more resistant to high temperatures. Indeed, various authors have demonstrated that there is a correlation between the origin of a variety and its temperature tolerance: native varieties of colder areas exhibit lower tolerance to high temperatures, while varieties that are native to warmer locations are more tolerant and vice versa. Accordingly, the Ogliarola del Vulture variety occupies only the production area of the ‘Vulture’ PDO oil. In the Vulture area, the olive tree is not only a productive resource, but also an element characterising the area's landscape and environmental identity and one which provides protection against the weather-related disasters which, unfortunately, often strike the area. Indeed, through their location on the exposed eastern and southern slopes of Mount Vulture, the olive trees occupy sloping land and their soil protection action is as important as that of the mountain's wooded area. In other words, they help safeguard the hydrogeological stability of the area and human settlements by occupying land which, owing to its sloping nature, could not be used for other forms of cultivation. The olive tree has been present in the Vulture area since antiquity, as demonstrated by various historical documents at the State Archive in Potenza, where various statistics and historical reports describing the area and its olive tree cultivation are kept. The documentation shows that olive growing and olive oil production in the Vulture area date back a long time and have, over time, become increasingly important in the context of the area's economy.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The consolidated text of the product specification is available on the internet: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going directly to the homepage of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP’ (at the top right-hand side of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen), and finally by clicking on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all'esame dell'UE’.

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

(2)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

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